Question
hi! I received an orchid in about september, its the white flower with a little pink and yellow in the middle. It originally had 3 flowers, they have since died and fallen off, it came in a tiny pot in soil, and when I got it, I bought a bigger pot and replanted it with the soil it came in and more of course. Some of the stems that were growing out of the base have turned black, another has turned brown but a new green stem has grown off it, it stays below the leaves though. The flowering part of the stem has had 6 buds on it, 5 have turned yellow and fallen off while they're still very tiny, but one has gotten quite large and is still green. I'm waiting to see if it dies or not. Also I noticed tiny little bugs in the soil, at first I thought I was seeing things, but they exist. I just need some advice on what to do about the bugs, the black stem, the brown stem with the small green stem growing off it, and why 5 out of 6 buds turned yellow and fell off and one is huge. How often to orchids bloom? I'm sorry this is so many questions I just don't have a green thumb at all.. I've killed a cactus and I really want this to live! Thanks so so much!

Answer
Hi Brittany,

To begin, although you did not mention what type of orchid you have, I believe it may be a phalaenopsis orchid.  If the leaves are rather thick and shaped like an elongated oval with no bulb at the base of the leaves, there is a pretty good chance that it is a phal.  

I hate to say this, but it probably was not a good idea to repot it into a larger pot.  Most orchids prefer to have their roots somewhat crowded in the pot.  Also, too large a pot for the plant size along with the number of roots and the potting soil will tend to remain wet for too long, this can lead to the roots rotting.  This also may have contributed to the buds yellowing and dying as there are not enough roots to support their growth to maturity.  

Phalaenopsis orchids usually bloom only once a year, usually in the winter to spring.  

My goodness, you must have a special talent to have killed a cactus!  (grin)  This brings up another point.  Most plants are killed by kindness because people think they need to keep the plant constantly moist.  The opposite is what most plants want and need, allowing the potting soil to become barely moist between waterings.  

Tiny bugs in the soil could be what are called fungus gnats.  They take up residence in soils that have broken down and stay constantly wet.  The best way to get rid of them is to dispose of the old soil and repot using fresh potting mix.  

I hope this has helped.  Hope that one big bud does open!  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.